Boo! Half a million e-tags sold

At least 500 000 e-tags have been sold to motorists and fleet vehicle owners in Gauteng, Sanral announced on Thursday.

“At least 500 000 have been sold: 300 000 of them have been bought by private individuals,” Sanral representative Alex van Niekerk told a public hearing in Johannesburg.

His statement was met with loud boos from the public. Some people walked out of the packed hall in Sunninghill.

Last month, the government and Sanral announced new tariffs for e-tolling of Gauteng's freeways.

The announcement, which was made on October 26, marked the beginning of a 30-day public consultation process, after which Transport Minister Ben Martins would have a fortnight to “apply his mind”, followed by another fortnight to gazette the final tariffs.

This means e-tolls could come into effect four days before Christmas.

Van Niekerk found it difficult to go through his presentation on how to register for e-tolls and buy e-tags.

He was accused of lying and assuming that residents were stupid.

The e-tolls were set for looting, screamed an old man at the back of the hall.

“Lies, lies, lies...” people shouted at Van Niekerk from all corners of the hall. -Sapa